Self-aligning fixed grille
View Patent ↗A grille for a vehicle, especially for severe service vehicles, is provided. The grille couples to a front reinforcement assembly of the vehicle's hood using a male and female slip joint, such as a boss and track. The grille and hood also hinge together. A spring engages the grille and the cooling module of the vehicle.
1. A grille for a motor vehicle, comprising:
a top;
a bottom opposite the top;
a frame having a bottom frame at the bottom, a top frame at the top having opposite front and back faces, and opposite side frames being located between the top and bottom frames;
a track in the front face of the top frame extending from the top toward the bottom, the track having sidewalls, an end wall, and a rear wall connecting to the sidewalls and the end wall;
a cylindrical knob extending rearward from the back face of the top frame;
a hinge extension extending laterally from the bottom of the frame;
wherein the track tapers vertically;
wherein the sidewalls slant outwardly from the rear wall;
wherein the hinge extension further comprises:
a base projecting laterally from the bottom frame; and
a hinge pin projecting laterally from the hinge extension; and
wherein the hinge extension further comprises:
an arm approximately perpendicular to the base and supporting the hinge pin.
2. A grille for a motor vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the knob is threaded.
3. A grille for a motor vehicle of claim 2 , wherein the hinge extension further comprises:
a rib between the arm and the side.
4. A grille for a motor vehicle of claim 2 , further comprising:
a spring attaching to the knob.
5. A grille mounted to a vehicle, comprising:
a top;
a bottom pivotally attaching to the vehicle with a hinge; and
a frame having a bottom frame at the bottom, a top frame at the top having opposite front and back faces and being coupled to the vehicle with a male and female slip joint, and opposite side frames being located between the top and bottom frame;
wherein the male and female slip joint further comprises:
a track in the front face of the top frame extending from the top toward the bottom, the track having sidewalls, an end wall, and a rear wall connecting to the sidewalls and end wall;
wherein the hinge further comprises:
a hinge extension having a base projecting laterally from the bottom of the frame;
a hinge pin projecting laterally from the hinge extension; and
a hinge receiver pivotally coupling to the hinge pin; and
a spring attaching to the back face of the top frame.
6. A grille mounted to a vehicle of claim 5 , further comprising:
a cylindrical knob extending rearward from the back face of the top frame and engaging the spring.
7. A grille mounted to a vehicle of claim 6 , wherein the knob is threaded.
8. A motor vehicle, comprising:
a cooling module;
a grille comprising a top, a bottom opposite the top, and a frame having a bottom frame at the bottom, a top frame at the top having opposite front and back faces, and opposite side frames being located between the top and bottom frames;
a hood pivotally coupling with the bottom of the grille and forming a hinge;
a front reinforcement assembly attaching to the hood and being coupled to the front face of the top frame of the grille using a male and female slip joint; and
a spring engaging the back face of the grille and the cooling module.
9. A motor vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the male and female slip joint further comprises:
a track having sidewalls, an end wall, and a rear wall connecting to the sidewalls and the end wall; and
a boss engaging the track.
10. A motor vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the track tapers vertically.
11. A motor vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the sidewalls slant outwardly from the rear wall.
12. A motor vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the track is located in the front face of the top frame extending from the top toward the bottom.
13. A motor vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the hinge further comprises:
a hinge extension extending laterally from the bottom of the grille at each side and having a base projecting laterally from the bottom frame of the grille, and a hinge pin projecting laterally from the hinge extension;
and a hinge receiver on the hood being pivotally coupled to the hinge pin.
14. A motor vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the hinge extension further comprises:
an arm approximately perpendicular to the base and supporting the hinge pin.
15. A motor vehicle of claim 14 , wherein the hinge extension further comprises:
a rib between the arm and the side of the grille.
16. A motor vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the grille further comprises:
a cylindrical knob extending rearward from the back face of the top frame and engaging the spring.
17. A motor vehicle of claim 16 , wherein the knob is threaded.